OVER 25 Carmarthen Harriers put in comprehensive performances at this year’s West Wales Indoor Championships and British Athletics Cardiff Cross Challenge, which took place last weekend (Jan 21-22).
Held at Swansea University, the Indoor Championships saw a record 315 athletes take part, with Carmarthen coming away with a total of nine medals over the two day competition.
Glen Elsdon put in winning performances for both the senior men’s hurdles (8.33) and the 60m final (7.05). Meanwhile, on the field there were further gold medal performances from Danielle Jones in the under 17 women’s shot (11.04m), Olivia Haines in the under 20 women’s triple jump (9.85m), Lili Church in the under 15 girls’ high jump (1.58m), and Zara Evans in the under 13 girls’ long jump (4.06m).
Adding to the tally, there were also three bronze medals won thanks to Haydn Davies in the under 17 men’s 60m hurdles final (9.07), Zak Daly in the under 17 men’s 60m final, and Olivia Haines who won her second medal of the day, this time in the long jump (4.52m).
In the younger age groups, Sophia Reid-Thomas made it all the way to the under 13 girls’ 60m final, where she finished sixth with a time of 9.04. Meanwhile, the upcoming and talented year six athletes Harri Howells and Owain-Hari Davies sprinted strongly to finish seventh and eighth respectively, both achieving a time of 9.30 and just missing out on a place in the final.
In the same event, Mia Lloyd, Jessica Lee, Siwan Jones-Evans, Stephen Reed and Haydn Davies all represented the club and performed well in their heats, whilst in the shot, Nia Williams – having moved up an age group – threw 8.02m to finish in seventh position.
Meanwhile, the cross country runners headed for Cardiff for the fourth series of the British Athletics series, where they tested themselves against the best in the UK.
In the primary school races, the boys won the overall trophy for the second successive year, thanks to Jack Thomas who won individual bronze and was supported by Iwan Jones in fifth, Steffan Davies in 17th, Jake Lynock in 32nd, and Brynmor Peters in 44th. In the girls’ race, Emma Brazier and Bessy Hill finished 22nd and 23rd respectively.
Ben Thomas, having been selected to represent Wales in the under 17 Celtic Cross Country International, following an impressive set of results over the past few months, finished as the third Welsh scorer in 12th. Behind him, Thomas Jones secured 36th position and competing in the women’s event, Ellie Kiff ran well to take 33rd place.
Daisy Thompson, having already competed in the previous two race series’ at Liverpool and Milton Keynes, again kept up with the leading pack, eventually coming in fifth. Also putting in a strong performance, Phoebe Williams crossed the line in 22nd.
In the corresponding boys’ age group, Liam Edwards finished in sixth and Dafydd Jones had his best race for the club to date, finishing in eighth. Dyfed teammate Iori Humphreys from Pembroke finished in between (seventh). Frank Morgan unfortunately had to pull out during the race.
First in for the Harriers in the under 15 boys’ race was Tomos Rees, who had a great run to take home sixth place. Following him was Archi Morgan in 14th and Gareth Morgan in 22nd overall. Meanwhile, the under 15 girls’ event saw Beca Roberts secure 47th position, and Siwan Jones–Evans 54th.
Finally, in the senior categories, Louise Jones-Evans won her F45 age group in a great time, while Gordon Orme continued his fine form this season to take fifth.
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